Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from your friends at Omega Fields -- and welcome to our first Health-E-Letter. Each month you will receive interesting health-related news, up-to-date research info, relevant resources, and thought-provoking FAQs.

• Equine: Omega Horseshine®  & Omega Nibblers®
• Canine: Omega Canine Shine & Omega Nuggets
• People: Mega Omega® & Simply Omega-3
  
  

Winter Nutrition for Horses

Brrrr! It’s getting colder!! You know how important a good warm coat is at this time of year! Falling temperatures, wind and wet conditions cause a tremendous demand on the horse’s body for heat production. How much body condition a horse loses depends on the severity and duration of the cold season and the amount of energy the horse receives from its feed.  As with all warm-blooded animals, horses must maintain their body temperature to survive. A heavy winter coat is a horse’s first defense from the cold. When allowed to grow, a horse’s natural hair coat acts as a tremendous insulator and provides as much warmth as the best blankets.

Horses may need more calories to sustain them through the cold months as well. An all-you-can-eat, high-quality diet of hay should be provided. Adult horses should consume between 1.5 and 2 percent of their body weight in hay -- a 1,000 lb horse will eat 15 to 20 lb of hay per day. The hay is not only important for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system of the horse, but the digestion process also generates heat. If possible, calculate the horse’s total hay ration and break that amount into at least two – preferably three – meals.

Did you ever wonder why the beautiful bloom on your horse seems to disappear in winter – when your horse is on a hay-based diet? This is because there are important nutritional differences between a horse eating fresh grass and hay (dehydrated grass) – and these differences can affect a horse’s health. Fresh grass is a rich source of essential fatty acids, especially Omega-3 essential fatty acids. The ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in natural fresh grass is 3:1. However, when the grass plant dies -- some of the essential fatty acids, found in the cell walls of live plants, are lost completely. The more delicate Omega-3 fats do not survive the dehydration process so the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 in hay becomes 0:1. Therefore, Omega-3 essential fatty acids are likely to be deficient in the diet. Sufficient Omega-3 essential fatty acids are vital to a well balanced diet and have been shown to alleviate problems with a dull thin coat, poor hoof growth, and stiff immobile joints.

One of the most natural ways of supplementing the horse’s diet with Omega-3 essential fat is stabilized whole ground flaxseed which has a 3:1 Omega-3 to Omega-6 essential fatty acid ratio – the same asfresh grass!

Omega Horseshine®  is  stabilized whole ground flaxseed that tastes great and is easy to serve. Our proprietary stabilization technology locks in nutrition and guarantees 12-month freshness!

Other safe higher calorie additions to the diet to ensure that the horse is getting enough calorie supplementation (rather than adding more grain) would be beet pulp and stabilized rice bran.

Omega Stabilized Rice Bran is a convenient, stabilized, calorie-rich source of energy and essential fatty acids.

Dehydrated grass (hay) also means that the vitamin and mineral balances found in fresh grass are also going to be distorted. Hay analyses will help you determine the vitamins and minerals you will need to supplement with a hay-based diet.

Because the winter months are often cold and dry, your horse may actually need more water during this time than in the summer.  Water should be checked twice daily and provided at all times as horses will drink 8 to 12 gallons a day. Not only is frozen water unavailable for drinking, but horses will actually avoid drinking water if it is too cold. It is possible to increase a horse’s intake of water by 60 percent or more if water is maintained at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Place the water in a sunny location to keep it warmer for a longer period of time. You can also add a bucketful of hot tapwater in order to make sure the watersays warm.

A word of concern about snow as a source of moisture: Forcing a horse to produce moisture by eating snow is counterproductive. Six times as much snow must be eaten to provide an equal amount of water. Furthermore, calories are used to melt the snow that should be used for body warmth.

By paying attention to your horse’s nutritional needs during these winter months, you can ensure that your horse stays healthy and ready for a productive spring.

Winter Nutrition for Horses contains some information garnered from:
www.cbm.uiuc.edu – College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
www.umext.maine.edu – University of Maine, Cooperative Extension
www.horse-abc.com
John Lyons Perfect Horse, February 2001 issue

State of Mind -- Depression or Contentment – It’s Your Choice!

One of the most intriguing new discoveries about fat is that it is inextricably linked with your state of mind. The kind of mayonnaise you spread on your sandwich and the type of dressing you pour on your salad may influence your moods, stress levels, impulsiveness, feelings towards others, even your ability to learn.

One reason that fat has such a profound effect on your mind and moods is that your brain is largely made up of fat. Fifty to sixty percent of its solid matter is fat, making the term fathead an apt description. Furthermore, the fat in your brain is not depot fat – the kind you pack around your middle and thighs to ward off famine – but structural fat – the kind that forms your cell membranes and plays a vital role in how your cells function.

Another unique feature about the brain is that your neurons, the cells that transmit chemical messages, are unusually rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. There is five times more DHA in your neurons than in your red blood cells.

Astounding research news from mental health and nutrition research centers in Australia reports a conn3ction between depression and low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. Australian mental patients whose blood was relatively high in Omega-6 fatty acids and low in Omega-3 fatty acids were more likely to be severely depressed than those with a more balanced ratio.

Since more than 19 million Americans suffer from depression each year, irregardless of educational, economic, racial, and ethnic groupings, the time is now for all people to increase their Omega-3 intake by consuming more stabilized whole ground flaxseed and fish and cutting down on their intake of polyunsaturated fats that contains lots of Omega-6, like corn or safflower oil -- by substituting olive oil or canola oil. Flaxseed is the richest plant source of Omega-3 essential fatty acid (alpha-linolenic acid). The body can convert the Omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed to EPA and DHA (as in fish oil) as it is required by the body.

Mega Omega®and Simply Omega-3 stabilized whole ground flaxseed products contain benefits for health and longevity! Both can be mixed in a fruit smoothie, hot or cold cereal, cottage cheese, juice of your choice, yogurt or pudding, or ice cream AND you can use them in baking and cooking. Both have an unprecedented full twelve month freshness guarantee.

Mega Omega®is a stabilized ground flax, plus plant-based antioxidant, plus vitamin and mineral supplement to restore essential nutrient balance, necessary for optimal health and longevity. Omega-3’s and antioxidants have been shown to help prevent depression, cancer, heart disease, and many other debilitating diseases that steal years from life, and life from years.  Simply Omega-3is a pure stabilized, ground, fortified flax seed supplement - with 2500 mg of Omega-3 per 15 gram (2 Tablespoons) serving.

 State of Mind -- Depression or Contentment contains some information garnered from:
The Omega Plan – written by Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

QUESTION:
I recently saved a young pony from going to slaughter and am now looking for a hoof supplement to help her. One of her hind feet has at one time sustained a severe injury which was obviously not cared for and consequently it now looks like a cow’s foot. However with her age and a lot of good nutrition I am confident she will be ok. She does not appear to be lame on it. So my question is do you have any products that would help promote growth for her feet?  I am currently searching for a product and have never used Omega Fields before. Thank you so much for your time.

ANSWER:
Thank you for your email and the wonderful rescue work you are doing. Thank you also for your interest in Omega Fields products to help with your young pony's hoof growth. We recommend Omega Horseshine® -- the ideal stabilized ground flax Omega-3 supplement for horses. Click here for more in-depth information on Omega Horseshine.

Please see the attached photo of new improved hoof growth sent to us by one of our loyal customers -- William Honeyager, Wisconsin. Here is his testimonial, as well: "One of my horses...founders every spring from what my farrier calls 'seedy toe'. I started feeding Omega Horseshine® and in just over 6 weeks, my mare has 1.5 inches of new hoof growth. In all my 45 years of raising Saddle Bred Horses ... I've never seen this kind of rapid growth before!"

Problems with poor hoof growth, cracking/splitting hooves, dull coat, dry itchy skin, arthritic pain, allergies, etc. can be attributed to an Omega-3 deficiency in the horse's body. The stabilized ground flax used in Omega Horseshine® is very high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids (flax is the richest source of Omega-3 in the plant world).  This makes it ideal because it is heavily tipped in favor of the Omega-3s your horse's diet is missing.  Also essential fatty acids are the first fats that are used by the body because they are essential to the working of the body -- the outer layer of every cell in the body is made up of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids do not normally get stored as fat. When the body has proper functional nutrition, in the right balance -- the level of optimal health improves.

Our customers who have experienced Omega-3 deficiencies (or similar distressful problems) with their horses, have shared their successes with us. They agree that the horse needs to get a higher dosage every day for the short term in order to overcome the Omega-3 deficiency in their horse's system -- at least 2 to 3 cups of Omega Horseshine® per day (based on a 1,200 lb horse), for the short term, until the symptoms/condition of the Omega-3 deficiency are alleviated. Then, they would go back down to what was the maintenance amount for their horse -- for the long term. Note: With Omega Horseshine®you don't have to keep supplementing at the high level for the long term. One-half cup to one cup (use standard size measuring cups) is the recommended daily maintenance amount for Omega Horseshine®for a 1,200 lb horse (adjust proportionally for weight of your pony).

Product of the Month: Omega Stabilized Rice Bran

The calorie-rich (energy dense) supplement to help performance and show horses meet their requirements – for horses in all life stages. Omega Stabilized Rice Bran supplies horses with:

• Over 200% more energy per unit weight than carbohydrates.
• Additional calories per pound of diet, without adding more grain.
• Easily digestible energy, without messy vegetable oil.

Omega Stabilized Rice Bran is a convenient, stabilized source of high energy and Vitamin E supplement for the diets of your show and performance horses, as well as your young growing horses. The dietary fat in Omega Stabilized Rice Bran functions as a calorie-rich supplement that helps horses meet their energy requirements. It also serves as an additional energy source that does not require feeding more grain in the diet. The additional calories provided by Omega Stabilized Rice Brancan increase the number of calories per pound of the diet.  Therefore, it can replace the amount of grain that must be fed to maintain top condition – reducing the chance of colic associated with overfeeding grain. (Read More …)

What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Check out January’s Health e-Letter for smart choices that will help improve your life,
your family’s life and your best four-legged companion’s life. 

The key words here are smart choices:
Make these smart choices – stand back -- and experience the excellent results!

Smart Choices to improve Your Horse's Health

Smart Choice #1. Preventative heart health care
Preventative care is key for your healthy horse and key for your healthy wallet! Think of all the vet bills and prescriptions you will not have to pay if you do what you can to prevent debilitating diseases.

Heart health and heart disease prevention aren’t just for humans anymore. Perhaps we all have either personally known horses that have suffered strokes or heard about them. Although equine cardiac study is relatively limited, work conducted in 2002 at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine demonstrated that horses are susceptible not only to the geriatric concerns of degenerative valve disease, fistula, and congestive heart failure, but also pericarditis, arrhythmia, and bacterial endocarditis.

Smart Choice #2. Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Omega-3 essential fatty acids from plant sources, such as flax seeds, are important for a healthy heart. Flax seeds (stabilized ground flax) provide an Omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the horse's body converts to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).Although there are no specific equine studies on the effect of omega-3 on equine heart disease, preliminary laboratory and human clinical scientific research points to ALA (Omega-3) as an effective stroke reducing agent. Research is also learning that ALA appears to protect the heart against arrhythmia, a decrease of the electrical stability of the heart. ALA inhibits atherosclerosis, an inflammatory condition. ALA may also be important in lowering blood triglyceride levels and because of this, it is believed to lower the risk of heart disease. It also reduces the chances of blood clots forming in the vessels. ALA may protect against sudden cardiac death.

One of the safest ways to add Omega-3 to the diet is from ground stabilized flax seed. Flax seeds are the greatest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids (just as fish is the greatest animal source of Omega-3 fatty acids) and its presence helps balance the ratio between Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids, which is vital to the immune system. Stabilized ground flax for horses -- Omega Horseshine®  is also rich in lignans – naturally occurring antioxidants shown to benefit the metabolic system in many animals.  

Mother Nature already provides a heart-healthy diet if you stick with the best-quality pasture. According to Eleanor Kellon, DVM -- (Veterinary Editor for Horse Journal and Perfect Horse, and Renowned Equine Health Author), “... fresh grass has anywhere from a 4:1 to 20:1 ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s. Because they're so fragile, very little, if any, Omega3s are likely to survive hay curing. Flax for horses has an Omega-3:Omega-6 ratio of about 4:1, just what we need to replace what's missing in dried diets.” Note: Visit the Equine Cushings/Insulin Resistance Group website co-owned and monitored by Dr. Kellon -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings.

Smart Choice #3. Exercise
Of course, we all know that there is nothing that can substitute for a regular exercise program. Extra weight in a low-activity, unconditioned horse can also cause stress on the cardiovascular system – the same as it can do for your horse's best two legged friend – you!  Enjoy exercising together and you'll both reap the benefits.

Omega Horseshine® --  is  stabilized whole ground flaxseed that tastes great and is easy to serve. Our proprietary stabilization technology locks in nutrition and guarantees 12-month freshness!

Smart Choices to Improve Your Dog's Health

Good health for your dog means you pay attention to seasonal changes in the weather and make smart choices accordingly. In winter, when the weather turns cold, it’s not unusual for dry skin and/or sensitive paws to be a problem. Winter air is so much drier than other times of the year. Add to that the fact that many regions use salt to melt snow and ice, and you have a recipe for potential skin and paw problems.

Smart Choice #1. Prevent Skin Problems

• Brush your dog regularly to remove dander and shedding hair. (And it’s a fun way to spend time together!)
• Don’t bathe your dog too often. Contrary to popular belief, bathing your dog too frequently in the winter can actually add to the problem—shampoos can remove essential oils your dog needs to maintain healthy skin.
• If you absolutely need to bathe your dog, consider using dry skin formulated pet shampoos and finish up with a moisturizer.
• Feed him a high-quality diet that contains nutrients for a healthy coat and skin – especially a diet high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids. (One of the safest ways to make sure that your special friend gets enough Omega-3’s is to sprinkle Omega Canine Shine over his food every day. Best tasting flax and fish oil combo and rich in all three Omega-3’s – ALA, EPA, DHA

Smart Choice #2. Avoid paw problems:

• Wash off your pet’s feet after every walk.
• Trim the hair between his toes to reduce the chance of collecting ice and snow.
• Use petroleum jelly on the surface of the pads, especially before going outdoors.
• In some cases, special neoprene booties can be used to protect his footpads.

Following these smart choices will ensure that your four-legged friend and companion stays comfortable and healthy this winter season.

Smart Choices to Improve Your Dog’s Health contains some information garnered from:

PetLvr.com – Article written by Julie Deardorff

Smart Choices to Improve Your Health

Good health is not a singular event. It's a lifestyle. It’s making smarter choices day in and day out. If you’re like most people, you need a bit of help in learning how to take care of yourself and start making those smart choices. Maybe the following four smart choices can help you to live a healthier life.

Smart Choice #1. Get in bed
The dalai lama was right on when he said, "Sleep is the best meditation ... not for Nirvana but for survival."
Sleep heals both the mind and the body, but at least three of every four people have trouble getting enough z's a few nights a week. Recent studies show more people are sleeping less than six hours a night. Occasional insomnia is nothing to worry about, but chronic sleep loss can result in weight gain, increased risk of hypertension, increased stress-hormone levels, irregular heartbeat and problems with learning, memory and the immune system. Your sleep deprivation also can affect others; it contributes to medical errors and road accidents.

The use of sleep medication is on the rise, but drugs can be physically or mentally addictive. Instead, lay the foundation for a good night's sleep during the day; don't caffeinate, exercise or stimulate the brain by watching television or reading a thriller too close to bedtime.

Ways to soothe the senses: taking a hot fragrant bath, giving yourself a foot massage with scented oil, turning down the lights and lighting a candle, changing into soft sleepwear, having a cup of herbal tea or hot milk, turning off the TV and turning on some quiet music or just enjoying silence. If you let go of the goal to sleep, you'll very likely drift off.

Smart Choice #2. Go Omega!
Ground flax seeds, walnuts, oily fish, and canola oil are some of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which the body desperately needs to fight disease but can't produce on its own. Omega-3s work together with omega-6 fatty acids (found in grains, nuts and vegetable oils) to promote health. But most Americans have an imbalance - too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 - that leads to disease.

Scientists know omega-3s reduce inflammation, decrease the risk of heart disease, lower triglycerides, inhibit the development of plaque and blood clots, and reduce cardiac arrhythmia. But newer research has shown omega-3s can help with diabetes, arthritis, depression, attention-deficit disorder and breast cancer.

Eating more omega-3 fats may also make you less impulsive or depressed — and easier to get along with, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh. They measured the blood levels of omega-3s — a reliable indicator of consumption — of 106 healthy adults and gave them psychological tests. Those with the highest omega-3 blood levels scored 49 percent to 58 percent better on the tests than those with the lowest blood levels. Although other studies have linked omega-3s to lower depression, this is the first to show possible mood-boosting in healthy people, the scientists say.  

Tip the balance in your favor by mixing Mega Omega® or Simply Omega-3 in a fruit smoothie, hot or cold cereal, cottage cheese, juice of your choice, yogurt or pudding, or ice cream. OR use them in baking and cooking. They contain the best tasting, stabilized ground flax seed as a rich source of Omega-3 on the market. Make salmon, sardines, herring, tuna or mackerel a regular part of your diet as well. Make sure you avoid eating fish contaminated with mercury (pregnant women should be especially vigilant). Avoid farm-raised fish because they typically are fed hormones, antibiotics and other substances your body doesn't need.

Smart Choice #3. Exercise
Don't go down this path alone. While men join pickup basketball games or assemble a foursome for a round of golf, women tend to have more trouble finding a partner on their fitness journey.

But really, it's not that complicated. If you're a swimmer, join a master's group. These take swimmers of all levels, help break up the monotony of lap swimming and provide camaraderie. Runners can join group workouts and cyclists can check with local bike shops to find group rides. Walking is always popular and relatively easy to stay with. Get together with a friend for an early morning walk to start the day out right – or end the day on a positive note. Better yet -- go trail riding with your horse.

Find some company at the gym - but make sure it's the right kind of gym for you. The all-female Curves caters to the exercise-inhibited, while the swanky, high-priced clubs often have classes, spa services and a scene. (We personally love to work out at our local Wellness Center – it’s somewhere between Curves and swanky!)

Here are a couple of simple exercises for every day stress relief: take two minutes out of the day to clear the mind. Begin by taking in a deep breath through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth. While listening to your breathing, simultaneously concentrate on expending your stomach with every breath. By focusing on those two things at the same time, you won't be able to think of a third thing -- so you'll automatically break the energy circuit that was causing your stress.

A second simple exercise is to conscientiously go through an entire day without criticizing, blaming or judging someone else. It's a very challenging thing to do, but if you try to do it, what will happen is you'll realize how blame-oriented you've become, and then you can begin to work on being more mindful and more tolerant and more empathetic and compassionate.

Smart Choice #4. Avoid the hospital
The hospital isn't the healthiest place to hang out and not just because some serve fast food in the lobby. Medical errors kill as many as 98,000 Americans each year, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, more deaths than from AIDS, breast cancer or motor-vehicle accidents combined.

Meanwhile, 2 million patients contract an infection from U.S. hospitals or medical centers each year, resulting in 90,000 more deaths, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We know it's awkward, but unless you're unconscious, ask your doctor this simple question: "Have you washed your hands?" Even if he's wearing gloves, be vigilant; they can be contaminated if caregivers have pulled them on without cleaning their hands. If the doctor comes at you with his cold stethoscope, ask him to wipe its flat surface with alcohol. Studies have shown they're often contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. Human error is a fact in health care just as in the rest of life.

Smart Choices to Improve Your Health contains some information garnered from:
Chicago Tribune – Article written by Julie Deardorff
"The Flip," a new book by co-authors Jared Rosen and David Rippe
The Omega Plan – written by Dr. Artemis P. Simopoulos

Product of the Month: Omega Nibblers® Treats

BEST TASTING TREATS - HIGHEST IN STABILZED OMEGA-3
FROM FLAX SEEDS and NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS

You’ll get a free sample with your next order – or just click here- type in your name and mailing address and click “send” to request yours.

For your horses when they need:

• Smooth skin texture with added luster (beautiful bloom) to the coat, with earlier shedding
• Strong, thick-walled hooves (restores cracked, brittle, thin-walled hooves)
• Smooth muscle action, less soreness and stiffness, shorter recovery time (alleviates stiff, immobile joints)
• Sand colic prevention (mucilage traps and suspends sand, moving it out)
• Less incidence of tying up and muscle cramping (soothes aching muscles)
• Top performance potential
• Strong teeth
• Perfect treat size for clicker training
• Convenient, fun AND nutritious treat

Come visit us at these premium equine events in 2007:

• April 20 - 22 – Midwest Horse Fair – WI
• May 18 - 20 – Women Luv Horses – NC
• June 8 -10 – Western States Horse Expo  – California
• October 26 - 28 – Women Luv Horses – WI
• November 8 - 11 – Equine Affaire – MA
  

Show your love on "Valentine's Day" with Omega Field's premium products and save $2.00!


The perfect gift to show your love may not be sweets, or flowers, or jewelry – it may be Omega-3! Check out our February newsletter for perfect ways to show your true love for your horses, dogs, friends, and family.

SAVE $2.00! Use code WEB0207.

MOST POPULAR VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT IDEAS:
Equine: Omega Horseshine®  & Omega Nibblers
Canine: Omega Canine Shine & Omega Nuggets
People: Mega Omega® & Simply Omega-3

Love your Horse

We know you love your horses!
That’s why we dedicate the following piece – I Ride* – to all those who love, laugh and live to ride. Enjoy!

I Ride

I ride. That seems like such a simple statement.  However as many women
who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power
and empowerment.  Being able to do things you might have once considered
out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill
water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay
delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway,
or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a
cold beer after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication.
At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the
sickness'.  It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl
bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real
horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the
sickness'.  It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do
and, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.

I ride.  I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride.  I breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the movement of my horse.  My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ball cap down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.

Time slows Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses.  Time slows.  The rhythm of the walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.

I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend through the manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest.  Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real accomplishment. Still I ride, no matter how tired or how much my seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt. I ride. And I feel better for doing so.

The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to find lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The Granite Stairway at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on the prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.

I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how competent they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch. We haul 40ft rigs, we back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp. Tend the horses.  We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the horse.  We respect each other and those we encounter on
the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel with out makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the 'sickness' and probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real one.  Now you’re there….ride.

If you love to ride -- stock your saddle bags with a good supply of Omega Nibblers® for your horse. They’re the best tasting treats and the best in nutrition too. Buy Omega Nibblers®  for your horse for Valentine’s Day and be ready for a big wet kiss!

Love Your Horse  -- I Ride -- contains information garnered from:
*I Ride was shared on http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoothorsecare/ A note with this piece said it originally came from http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Equine_Solutions_Network/  –  Author Unknown

Love Your Dog

Happy dogs are healthy, alert, vibrant, and enthusiastic about living. Although happy to lie at our feet and snooze, most pets are ready for exercise of any kind the minute we give the signal. Get active with your pet for their good health and improve your good health in the process. Now that’s a win/win situation!

Assessing your dog's health will soon become very natural for you once you understand his normal behavior and recognize any changes from the norm. Dogs are creatures of habit. If you notice your dog does not get up, seems reluctant to play, moves slower, eats less or behaves in an abnormal way, you should check with your vet right away.

Do a weekly snout to tail examination when you groom your pet. There should be no unpleasant odors or discharge from the eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Get your dogs used to this exam by placing them as young puppies of eight weeks on a rubber bath mat up on top of a table, etc. Handle them every week until this becomes a natural part of their grooming routine.

Be watchful for:

• Eyes -- A dog's eyes should be bright and clear, no redness and free of any discharge.
• Ears -- The insides of the ears should be a dull pink and free of odor. Occasional head shaking is normal, especially when a dog first wakes up, but excessive head shaking might indicate some irritation in the ears.
• Mouth -- Dogs' teeth should be white and free from tartar. The gums and tongue should be pink; however, there may be some mottle of black pigment in certain breeds. There should not be bad breath.
• Paws -- Paws should be neat and clean with no broken nails. The pads should be soft and healthy looking with no cuts. The pads should not be swollen, causing painful walking or tenderness when limbs are touched.
• Skin -- Normal coat is healthy and shiny with the skin clean and no dry flakes or odor. Healthy fur glistens and shouldn't come out in big hunks when pulled except during the dogs natural molting. There should be no sign of parasites, flea dirt, dandruff, sores, signs of baldness, or itchy skin.
• Joints -- Your dog should move with a natural grace, showing no signs of difficulty getting up or down.
• Digestion -- Appetite and thirst and frequency of emptying the bowels and bladder should be routine. If you notice a change in the color, consistency or quantity of droppings, it's best to check with your vet.

When a dog is not well, he relies on his owner to notice and take appropriate action. Become familiar with his routine so he can continue to stay happy and healthy, tearing through your house, playing keep away, and loving you just the way you are.

A very convenient and safe way to ensure that the four-legged love of your life is a happy, healthy, alert, vibrant, and  enthusiastic dog -- is to sprinkle Omega Canine Shine over the food every day. The high oil content really helps the powdered supplement stick nicely to the food bits. One-year shelf life – GUARANTEED. What an excellent Valentine’s Day gift of good health for your best four-legged companion!

Love Your Dogcontains some information garnered from:
The Times - published by Monroe Publishing LLC (www.themonroetimes.com), a subsidiary of Bliss Communications Inc. of Janesville, Wisconsin, a family-owned company.

Love Yourself and Your Family

If you or your family have tried every lotion and potion on the market hoping to have beautiful SKIN, thick, shiny HAIR, a dynamite SMILE, and a lean STOMACH you may be going at it all wrong.  The truth is - eating the right foods can help you not only feel great but look fabulous too. Here's nutritionist Joy Bauer's prescription for beauty -- being (and feeling) beautiful begins within.